Natural Resources
Associate of Science Degree
Articulated with Oregon State University
UCC's Natural Resources – You can choose one of the three tracks to complete the Natural Resource program: Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Forest Ecosystems, and Conservation Law Enforcement. Each track will result in an A.S. degree that prepares students with the necessary knowledge for an entry-level position or provide a foundation for transferring to a university. The program takes advantage of UCC’s well-equipped facilities and the diversity of resources available on its beautiful 100-acre campus and nearby lands to provide a mix of classroom, lab, and field experiences not found at any other institution.
Natural Resource Program Mission - The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Natural Resources gives students a comprehensive educational foundation for careers related to natural resource science and technology.
OSU Degree Partnership Program
UCC works closely with Oregon State University (OSU) so that students can dual-enroll, pursue any degree that OSU offers, reap cost savings, and benefit from access to more scholarships and services. Learn more.
Special Features
UCC is uniquely situated in the heart of world-renowned forests, mountains and rivers. Over half of Douglas County lands are under public ownership, giving us access to a wide range of agency experts and hands-on field experiences.
Application and Acceptance
There are no prerequisites to enter this program. Students can begin this program at any time, but a Fall term start will allow the program to be completed in two years.
Program Outcomes
- Describe natural ecological processes and human impacts that influence ecosystem change, and ecological succession in landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
- Recognize and describe the interrelationships between ecosystem communities and how social communities have an effect on the use and management of natural resources.
- Describe and evaluate a set of natural resource-related objectives and be able to evaluate the success of these actions.
- Evaluate management problems while working collaboratively within and among teams.
- Describe and quantify the biological and physical interrelationships between ecosystem resources.
Spotlight on Student Success : Cris Salazar
UCC faculty helped Cris Salazar to discover and pursue his passion in Conservation Biology.
Get the details.
Ready to get started?
It's easy and only requires TWO steps.
Step 1
Fill out our response form. This will alert us that you are interested in the Natural Resources program.
Step 2
If you are new to UCC (you've never taken a class), apply to UCC. Otherwise, you are done for now. You will be contacted about the next steps.
Careers
Employment of conservation scientists and foresters is projected to grow 6 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Most employment growth is expected to be in state and local government-owned forest lands, particularly in the western United States.
Tracks in the Natural Resources program will prepare students for jobs in conservation science, conservation law enforcement, ecosystem management, wildlife biology, fisheries science, botany, forestry, and other fields related to natural resource science and conservation.
Transfer Guide
Our AS degree in Natural Resources provides a foundation for OSU’s Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources. After completing our Natural Resources AS, all of the remaining classes needed to fulfill OSU’s Bachelor’s degree requirements can be taken at UCC and through OSU’s online Ecampus, making it possible to earn your BS in Natural Resources without relocating to Corvallis.
Catalog Information
View / Download catalog information for Natural Resources: Associate of Science Degree
Advising Guides
View / Download advising information for Natural Resources: Conservation Law Enforcement: Associate of Science Degree
View / Download advising information for Natural Resources: Fish & Wildlife: Associate of Science Degree
View / Download advising information for Natural Resources: Forest Ecosystems: Associate of Science Degree
Related Degrees at UCC
High School Students
Get a head start by becoming a dual credit student. Dual credit students attend UCC and high school at the same time! You can complete high school requirements, work on college prerequisites and earn credits towards a degree or certificate all at the same time.
First Generation College Students
Will you be the first in your family to go to college? Take advantage of the Transfer Opportunity Program (TOP). It's FREE. The TOP program provides the extra help you will need to be successful at UCC so you can transfer smoothly to university studies.
Residents of WA, ID, NV, and CA
If you are from Washington, Idaho, Nevada, or California, you pay Oregon resident tuition rates. That's a big discount! You might also be interested in what life is like around UCC. Find out.
Money for College
Get access to millions of dollars that are available to students - not just loans. There are scholarships, grants and work study opportunities too! Every student can use money for college. It can help you to be more successful. Plus, it can lower your debt load when you finish college. Some students actually leave college debt-free! Here are some important sources of money for college. Don't let these opportunities for financial aid pass you by. Act now! Decide. Commit. Succeed.
- Pell Grants part of FAFSA (for undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need.)
- Federal Work Study part of FAFSA (Work on Campus. Get experience in the workforce.)
- Scholarships, OSAC, FAFSA, and more (Sources of money for college.)
- UCC Scholars (Tuition waiver for high school seniors with high GPAs.)
Why UCC?
The freshman and sophomore years at most universities are designated pre-engineering, with the junior and senior years designated professional engineering. Many of the transfer courses during the first two years of study are math, science and elective courses. At UCC, you can take the required core courses in smaller classroom settings and at lower cost than at four-year institutions. The Associate of Science (AS) degree is awarded once all required courses, electives and general education requirements are successfully completed.
Contact
Prospective students should contact an Enrollment Advisor to get started and then see a program advisor (below) to develop a more focused educational plan.
Bryan Benz - Contact
Assistant Professor, Science
Phone: 541-440-4618
